Police Expected to Join International Probe Into Alleged Qatari Election Interference
Police are expected to join the international investigation into alleged Qatari election interference in Israel, as the Shin Bet and Mossad probe foreign funding.
The Israel Police are expected to join the international investigation into alleged Qatari interference in Israeli elections, following an ongoing Shin Bet inquiry, according to assessments Sunday. The investigation was initiated after Central Election Committee Chairman Justice Noam Solberg requested an inquiry into suspected foreign funding and election bribery within the Arab sector.
According to intelligence findings presented to Justice Solberg, Qatar allegedly channeled funds to boost voter turnout in the Arab community through channels previously used for terror financing, including currency exchangers and local institutions. Authorities emphasize that the investigation is not specifically targeting the Ra'am party, though investigators are examining broader foreign influence.
The Shin Bet is leading the probe, with the Mossad also joining to investigate specific aspects of the alleged foreign influence operation. Shin Bet chief David Zini previously briefed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu regarding legal limitations faced by the agency prior to the elections, while security officials continue examining additional meetings between senior Arab list figures and officials from Qatar and Turkey.
